Girts will remain in prison for at least 10 more years

A Poland native convicted of the 1992 cyanide poisoning death of his third wife won’t be eligible for parole for at least 10 more years.

When Robert Girts, 61, a former embalmer, pleaded guilty last January to involuntary manslaughter and insurance fraud in the death of Diane Jones Girts, his defense attorneys and Cuyahoga County prosecutors agreed on a recommended sentence of six to 30 years in prison. Girts was given credit for the 15 years he served for two previous murder convictions which were overturned. The judge left it up to the Ohio Parole Board to determine how much time Girts would spend in prison.

This week the parole board decided that would be at least 10 more years. Girts won’t be eligible for parole until May 2024. He is housed at the Richland Correctional Institution in Mansfield.